Safeguarding of Children

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Unit 11: safeguarding the welfare of children and young people * – current legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures to safeguarding The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (1989). This treaty sets out the rights and freedom of all children in a set of articles. Those countries who signed up to the Treaty, including the UK in 1991, are legally bound to implement legislation which supports each of the articles. Children Act (1989). This act identifies the responsibilities of parents and professionals who must work to ensure the safety of the child. This Act includes two important sections which focus specifically on child protection. Section 47 states that the Local Authority has a duty to investigate when there is a reasonable cause to suspect that a child is suffering of likely to suffer significant harm. Section 17 also states that services must be put into place to safeguard and promote the welfare of children within the area who are in need. The Education Act (2002). This sets out the responsibilities of the Local Education Authorities governing bodies, head teachers and all those working in schools or childcare settings to ensure that children are safe and free from harm. Children Act (2004). This provides the legal framework for Every Child Matters. It includes the requirements for: services to work more closely, forming an integrated service, a common assessment of children’s needs, a shared database of information which is relevant to the safety and welfare of children and earlier support for parents who are experiencing problems. Policies which safeguard: schools and childcare settings must develop a range of policies which ensure the safety, security and well-being of their children. These will set out the responsibilities of staff and the procedures that they must follow. Policies may be separate or incorporated into one

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